How I take pictures

Over the years, many people have asked me to detail my “work flow.” They want to know: How do I take a picture? That may seem like a simple question, but, unfortunately, there is no easy answer because every image (as beginners soon discover) has its own personality.

In a perfect world, however, I try to follow a pattern. I begin by analyzing the nature of my target. Does it need deep exposures to allow massive stretching (see my November and December 2010 columns), or is it a bright nebula (like the Rosette) where short exposures will do?

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